Brittain elects for jury trial

Alleged quadruple murderer John Brittain appeared briefly in Penticton court Monday morning, waiving his right to a previously-scheduled preliminary inquiry and announcing his intention to proceed straight to a jury trial in B.C. Supreme Court.

Brittain’s lawyer, Paul McMurray, did most of the speaking, with his client appearing via video conference from Okanagan Correctional Centre.

A preliminary inquiry puts the facts of a case before a judge to ensure the Crown has enough evidence to proceed to trial. It also allows the defence to explore the case.

McMurray, however, said Monday they were consenting to the trial and would elect to B.C. Supreme Court for a judge and jury trial.

Brittain is accused of shooting and killing Susan and Barry Wonch, Rudi Winter and Darlene Knippelberg on April 15. Police say he turned himself in after the spree.

The court also renewed a no-contact order between John and his ex-wife Katherine Brittain, who the Crown says may be called to testify at the trial. 

All of the victims were neighbours of Katherine Brittain, who was reportedly in a protracted neighbours dispute with many of them. The son-in-law of Winter, Zachary Charles Steele, was sentenced to probation last week for throwing a rock through the window of Katherine Brittain’s home two months after the shooting.

John Brittain will be back in court January 27, 2020 to determine a trial date.